Govt to build 45 cyclone shelters in Sunderbans

The 'multipurpose cyclone shelters' will protect people living in the remote areas of North 24-Parganas and also the Sunderbans areas from natural calamities like floods and earthquakes. According to the district administration, around 20 such shelters are being constructed, while 45 others would come up soon.

The proposed 45 cyclone shelters would be constructed in various blocks of North 24-Parganas. Hasnabad block would get 5 shelters, Hingalganj 9 shelters, Sandeshkhali-1 12 shelters, Sandeshkhali-2 15 shelters and Minakha 4 shelters.

After the competition of the proposed cyclone shelters, the district would be getting a total of 65 such shelters, of which the construction of around 20 is nearly complete.

These shelters are actually large houses, but constructed on elevated platforms to protect occupants from rising water levels. These will be three-storeyed buildings, where a large number of people will be able to take refuge at the time of any natural disaster.

The project was undertaken, keeping in mind the people living in river-adjacent areas of Sunderbans. People from others districts could also be accommodated in these cyclone shelters in case of a natural calamity. During last year's flood, the administration from the flood-hit districts had a tough time providing them a shelter in a safer place.

After assessing the importance of constructing this type of shelters, the state government has decided to set them up. Such shelters would also be constructed in various other districts as well, on a priority basis.

It may be mentioned that North 24-Parganas district administration has constructed some night shelters in various parts of the district, particularly in Basirhat and Bongaon. The idea behind setting up night shelters was to accommodate the travellers who can take rest at night.